Grade 9

GOP – Textbook Funds

T.L.E.
QUARTER 3
WEEK 7-8
 INFORMATION SHEET 2.1
CHECK TRANSMISSION/DIFFERENTIAL FOR LEAKAGE

Oil used in transmission and differential is called gear oil. It is totally different from the one used in
motor engine. Gear oil is heavier than motor oil and has a very low viscosity. When gear oil leaks, it causes a
very untidy appearance, very slippery and fatal when accidentally stepped-on. That is why, gear oil should be
maintained safe without finding its way dripping under the floor.

Fig. 43. Phantom view of transmission assembly

(Auto Repair Illustrated Deluxe Ed.)

Transmission and differential gear oil must be checked regularly for leaks. This can be done by visual
inspection and recording the location where the leak originates. The location of leak will give the idea where
the leak originates. Usually, gear oil leak comes from worn-out gasket and oil seal. This kind of leak openly
comes from natural tear and wear of frequent used. Other source of leak is due to loosed drain plug or its shim
gasket not squarely seated properly. If this condition is observed, it must be brought immediately to the service
station at once to avoid further damage to the internal, working parts. Inadequate gear oil will tend the gears
to heat up and if totally neglected friction between two metals contacting surfaces result thus giving a growling
sound during operation.
The following are the parts that must be inspected when checking for leaks.

INFORMATION SHEET 2.2

CHECK TRANSMISSSION/DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL LEVEL
GEAR OIL AND OIL VISCOSITY
A. GEAR OIL

Manual transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases are all various types of gearboxes. They
are very similar in three ways:
1. Gears that transmit power
2. Splinted shafts that rotate while other parts are sliding down on them.
3. Bearings that support the shafts and transfer the load to the case or housing.

In the gearbox, the moving metal parts must not touch each other. They must be
continuously separated by a thin film of lubricant to prevent excessive wear and premature failure.
As gear teeth mesh, there is a sliding or wiping action between the contact faces. This action
produces friction and heat. Without lubrication, the gears would wear quickly and fail. However,
lubrication provides a fluid film between contact faces. This prevents metal-to-metal contact.
Therefore, all gearboxes must have lubricants or gear oil on them. Gear oil has five jobs to do. These
are:
1. To lubricate all moving parts and prevent wear
2. To reduce friction and power loss
3. To protect against rust and corrosion
4. To keep the interior clean
5. To cool the gearbox

In addition, the oil must have adequate load-carrying capacity to prevent puncturing of the
oil film. Chemical additives are mixed with gear oil to improve its load-carrying capacity. An oil that
has an additive in it to increase the load-carrying capacity is called an extreme-pressure (EP)
lubricant. Other additives are also added to the oil to improve the viscosity (thickness), to prevent
channeling (solidify), to improve stability and oxidation resistance, to prevent foaming, to prevent
rust and corrosion, and to prevent damage to the seals.
The typical gear oil is a straight mineral oil (refined crude oil) with the required additives in it. Today,
some oils are made from synthetic oil. Regardless of type, gear oils intended for most cars and light
trucks have these classification, SAE 75W, 75W-80, 80W-90, 85W-90, 90, or 140.
 Gear oil is not recommended for use in all gearboxes by the manufacturers. Gears which are
lightly loaded, like the planet-pinion gears in a planetary gear set of the automatic transmission do
not require high viscosity (thick) oil. Therefore, some transfer cases are filled with SAE 10W engine
oil. Other transfer cases use automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
To prevent the lubricant from leaking out, the gearbox has an oil tight case. Seals are used around
each cover and shaft. In addition, seals are provided around the input and the output shafts. The
clutch shaft in many transmissions does not have a separate seal. Instead, an oil slinger is used to
throw back any oil that reaches it. Other designs have a passage in the clutch-shaft-bearing retainer
that bring back to the case any oil passing through the bearing.

B. OIL VISCOSITY

Viscosity is a measure of an oil's resistance to flow. A low-viscosity oil is thin and flows easily.
A high-viscosity oil is thicker and flows more slowly. As engine oil should have the proper viscosity
so it flows easily to all moving parts, so as oil used in transmission and differential gears as well.
Gear oil must withstand heavy duty operation in all driving range. Low viscosity reduces the ability
of the oil to stay in place between moving engine parts. If the oil is too thin (low viscosity), it is forced
out of the moving parts. Rapid wear results then.
In some modern light vehicle, oil used in transmission and differential is the same as that of engine
oil.
When properly operated and maintained, a manual transmission or transaxle normally lasts the life
of the vehicle without a major breakdown. All units are designed so the internal parts operate in a
bath of oil circulated by the motion of the gears and shafts. Some units also use a pump to circulate
oil to critical wear areas that require more lubrication than the natural circulation provides.
Maintaining good internal lubrication is the key to the long life of transmission or transaxle. If the
amount of oil falls below minimum levels, or if the oil becomes too dirty, problems result.

ACTIVITY SHEET 2.3

CHANGE TRANSMISSION/DIFFERENTIAL GEAR OIL
GEAR OIL REPLACEMENT

Changing the gear oil is an important maintenance activity for a car. According to some car
owner's manual, it should be changed every two years or 5000 kilometers. The gear oil inside the
transmission and differential coats the gears while the vehicle is running. The gears and bearings
rely on the gear oil to reduce the metal stress and fatigue. Gear oil breaks down over time and usage.
If not changed, it will turn into a thick dark molasses-like dirt. Eventually, the gears and bearings
could seize resulting in a untimely deterioration. Changing the gear oil is fairly simple and can be
accomplished in an hour.
Proper gear oil viscosity grade must be followed when replacing transmission/differential gear oil.

Fig. 47. Gear oil

viscosity and
temperature
PRE/DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT
1. Oil used in transmission and differential is called ________.

A. Engine oil C. Machine oil

B. Gear oil D. Penetrating oil

2. Gear oil is heavier than motor oil and has a very low _______.

A. Atrocity C. Velocity
B. Porosity D. Viscosity

3. Usually, gear oil leak comes from __________ gasket and oil seal.

A. Good C. Quality
B. Dilapidated D. Worn-out

4. Gears must be continuously separated by a thin film of lubricant to prevent ____________ wear.

A. Excessive C. Normal
B. Minimum D. Optimum

5. As gear teeth mesh, there is a sliding or swiping action between the contact _______.

A. Edges C. Films
B. Faces D. Toes

6. Gearboxes must have lubricants or gear oil on them. Gear oil has different jobs to do except
_______.
A. To lubricate all moving parts and prevent wear
B. To reduce friction and power loss
C. To protect against rust and corrosion
D. To keep the interior shiny, clean and fragrant

8. An oil that has additive in it to increase the load-carrying capacity is called ________________
lubricant.

A. Extreme power C. Extreme quality

B. Extreme pressure D. Extreme reliability

9. Gear oil level should be checked at the intervals specified in the service _______.

A. Center C. Shop
B. Manual D. Station

10. Allow the lubricant to drain into a clean catch _______.

A. Ban C. Pan
B. Can D. Van

11. Test running the vehicle and checking for oil leak after repair is a good_______.

A. Analysis C. Practice

B. Credo D. Try